Author Topic: VAC SYS DISCONTINUED? (Read 117847 times)

Michael Kellough · « **Reply #60 on:** December 05, 2021, 01:20 PM »

Quote from: Michael Kellough on December 04, 2021, 04:42 PM

Does the steel VAS SYS mounting plate that attaches to the frame of the MFT3 also fit the older MFT 1080?

Anyone know?

Coen · « **Reply #61 on:** December 05, 2021, 01:21 PM »

Didn't Festool make things in series? So they build up stock, then make stock of another machine, etc.? That would explain older manufacturing dates and things going out of stock.

The CTL'S definitely didn't have old manufacturing dates. But yeah, things like RAS, LS 130; they don't sell that much.

Coen · « **Reply #62 on:** December 05, 2021, 01:23 PM »

Quote from: Michael Kellough on December 05, 2021, 01:20 PM

Quote from: Michael Kellough on December 04, 2021, 04:42 PM
Does the steel VAS SYS mounting plate that attaches to the frame of the MFT3 also fit the older MFT 1080?

Anyone know?

It doesn't use the V-grove, right? I don't think the location of the side T-slot changed with the MFT/3? Not sure though.

squall_line · « **Reply #63 on:** December 05, 2021, 03:35 PM »

Quote from: Coen on December 05, 2021, 01:23 PM

Quote from: Michael Kellough on December 05, 2021, 01:20 PM
Quote from: Michael Kellough on December 04, 2021, 04:42 PM
Does the steel VAS SYS mounting plate that attaches to the frame of the MFT3 also fit the older MFT 1080?

Anyone know?

It doesn't use the V-grove, right? I don't think the location of the side T-slot changed with the MFT/3? Not sure though.

Correct, it uses the T-slot.

Even if it didn't use the T-slot, you could use the plate by itself and clamp it to the table assuming the holes in the 1080 are spaced the same as on the MFT-3, and leave the hinged piece swinging in the breeze. The T-slot attachment is used to allow the whole thing to swivel out of the way and remain attached to the table, stowed underneath. I was tempted to mount mine to my MW1000 to make it super portable, but I'm worried about the working height being too tall. Also, even though it would be nice and compact, it seems like an awfully expensive way to make a portable Vac-Sys.

Quote from: Coen on December 05, 2021, 01:21 PM

Didn't Festool make things in series? So they build up stock, then make stock of another machine, etc.? That would explain older manufacturing dates and things going out of stock.

The CTL'S definitely didn't have old manufacturing dates. But yeah, things like RAS, LS 130; they don't sell that much.

The Vac Sys set that I got from Recon last month has a build date of 06/2021 on the SE1 module. The SE2 is buried and the pump is still in the box waiting for space to be cleared in the garage

, but I'd be surprised if they didn't have similar dates if they were sold as a set.

presidentsdad · « **Reply #64 on:** December 13, 2021, 12:06 AM »

Just got one from existing stock and all of the manufacture dates were in 2021. Odd thing though, the SE2 unit looks like it had a screw missed during assembly and the valve that controls the module sucking down to the surface won't work. I have a call into support to see if I can just drive a thread forming screw into that spot.

Tom Lykins · « **Reply #65 on:** December 13, 2021, 10:15 AM »

Wow, that's unfortunate. Was just about to pull the trigger on one... Anyone know of any alternative vacuum workholding systems out there? I have seen a few DIY, but nothing as slick as the VAC-SYS.

DynaGlide · « **Reply #66 on:** December 13, 2021, 11:19 AM »

Those of you with the 2nd Vac Head: How often are you using it, and for what? I've yet to come across a situation where I really needed it.

Matt

Stan Tillinghast · « **Reply #67 on:** December 13, 2021, 12:42 PM »

My Vac Sys System is supposed to arrive today at Lee Valley, per a customer service e-mail I just received. For current orders, the web page for that product is showing an estimated expected arrival January 30. So you may still be able to order one there.

denovo · « **Reply #68 on:** December 13, 2021, 12:58 PM »

Quote from: DynaGlide on December 13, 2021, 11:19 AM

Those of you with the 2nd Vac Head: How often are you using it, and for what? I've yet to come across a situation where I really needed it.

Matt

I use both heads all the time. They are essential for large closet or pantry panels but I also use two for smaller panels. Just as long as the panels are somewhat centered on the head you can release the vacuum with the foot pedal and replace one panel without the second panel falling off. Therefore I can process two small panels at the same time!

Stan Tillinghast · « **Reply #69 on:** December 13, 2021, 03:31 PM »

Good to know that! I ordered a second head just in case, you know....

fritter63 · « **Reply #70 on:** December 13, 2021, 09:21 PM »

Here is another source for a vacuum clamp that I have. I use this for holding acoustic guitar bodies while working on them. Not sure if it would be as good as the VAC-SYS.

https://www.lmii.com/clamps-vises/2595-vacuum-work-holder-wpanavise-mount.html

grbmds · « **Reply #71 on:** December 14, 2021, 02:00 AM »

Sure would be nice if Festool addressed this question directly rather than letting everyone speculate.

DynaGlide · « **Reply #72 on:** December 14, 2021, 07:41 AM »

It was addressed in Reply #10 @grbmds .

This is just a North America thing, yes? So for those of us already with a Vac Sys theoretically we could import components of the system (anything but the pump basically) moving forward.

squall_line · « **Reply #73 on:** December 14, 2021, 09:27 AM »

I dunno, Matt, "permanently phasing out our Vac-Sys Clamping Systems. All major Vac-Sys components have permanently ceased production" sounds like it's more than just a North America exit.

DynaGlide · « **Reply #74 on:** December 14, 2021, 09:37 AM »

Quote from: squall_line on December 14, 2021, 09:27 AM

I dunno, Matt, "permanently phasing out our Vac-Sys Clamping Systems. All major Vac-Sys components have permanently ceased production" sounds like it's more than just a North America exit.

That's a message from Festool USA. I see no indication from abroad that they're discontinuing it.

Cheese · « **Reply #75 on:** December 14, 2021, 09:53 AM »

Unfortunately, I'm reading that this item is toast...worldwide.

"Due to continued supply chain pressure, Festool is permanently phasing out our Vac-Sys Clamping Systems. All major Vac-Sys components have permanently ceased production and final inventory is in transit to North America."

SRSemenza · « **Reply #76 on:** December 14, 2021, 09:53 AM »

Quote from: DynaGlide on December 14, 2021, 09:37 AM

Quote from: squall_line on December 14, 2021, 09:27 AM
I dunno, Matt, "permanently phasing out our Vac-Sys Clamping Systems. All major Vac-Sys components have permanently ceased production" sounds like it's more than just a North America exit.

That's a message from Festool USA. I see no indication from abroad that they're discontinuing it.

If the statement is accurate, then it is not just North America. The Vac- Sys is not produced in North America.

I have no inside info ........... but the part in bold seems pretty definitive.

@DerickC

Seth

DynaGlide · « **Reply #77 on:** December 14, 2021, 09:57 AM »

Welp that's a real shame then.

Do I bite the bullet and get the 2nd head now even though I have no current use for it?

SRSemenza · « **Reply #78 on:** December 14, 2021, 09:58 AM »

Quote from: DynaGlide on December 14, 2021, 09:57 AM

Welp that's a real shame then.

Do I bite the bullet and get the 2nd head now even though I have no current use for it?

YES!

Seth

jobsworth · « **Reply #79 on:** December 14, 2021, 10:15 AM »

Quote from: DynaGlide on December 14, 2021, 09:57 AM

Welp that's a real shame then.

Do I bite the bullet and get the 2nd head now even though I have no current use for it?

Better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it especially if it’s being discontinued. Other wise you’ll be posting in the classifieds like so many others WTB

Also as a suggestion didn’t read the entire thread
Get the kit w the different sized heads to you’ll need them

I have both heads and the kit, I don’t frequently use the 2nd head but it sure comes in handy when I need it.
The kit with the different side heads i use almost every project

DynaGlide · « **Reply #80 on:** December 14, 2021, 10:27 AM »

Quote from: jobsworth on December 14, 2021, 10:15 AM

Quote from: DynaGlide on December 14, 2021, 09:57 AM
Welp that's a real shame then.

Do I bite the bullet and get the 2nd head now even though I have no current use for it?

Better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it especially if it’s being discontinued. Other wise you’ll be posting in the classifieds like so many others WTB

Also as a suggestion didn’t read the entire thread
Get the kit w the different sized heads to you’ll need them

I have both heads and the kit, I don’t frequently use the 2nd head but it sure comes in handy when I need it.
The kit with the different side heads i use almost every project

Yep I sourced the 3 heads from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.de separately a few years ago sans systainer and shaved off a good chunk of the cost.

m8 · « **Reply #81 on:** December 14, 2021, 12:13 PM »

Called US Tool and Fastener this morning and placed an order for one of the remaining ones they have estimated to arrive next month. If anyone is on the fence I suggest putting your order in ASAP.

Greg Powers · « **Reply #82 on:** December 14, 2021, 04:35 PM »

Ordered the mounting bracket to mount the Sys Vac to the MFT today. I kept putting it off because of the cost, BUT I guess now is the time. It is now or never...

Michael Kellough · « **Reply #83 on:** December 14, 2021, 04:43 PM »

Quote from: Greg Powers on December 14, 2021, 04:35 PM

Ordered the mounting bracket to mount the Sys Vac to the MFT today. I kept putting it off because of the cost, BUT I guess now is the time. It is now or never...

I had the same thought but I can’t get a definite answer whether or not it will fit my old 1080 MFT.

squall_line · « **Reply #84 on:** December 14, 2021, 04:51 PM »

Quote from: Michael Kellough on December 14, 2021, 04:43 PM

Quote from: Greg Powers on December 14, 2021, 04:35 PM
Ordered the mounting bracket to mount the Sys Vac to the MFT today. I kept putting it off because of the cost, BUT I guess now is the time. It is now or never...

I had the same thought but I can’t get a definite answer whether or not it will fit my old 1080 MFT.

Would measurements help? I have a bracket and can take some measurements and/or pictures.

Michael Kellough · « **Reply #85 on:** December 14, 2021, 05:28 PM »

Quote from: squall_line on December 14, 2021, 04:51 PM

Quote from: Michael Kellough on December 14, 2021, 04:43 PM
Quote from: Greg Powers on December 14, 2021, 04:35 PM
Ordered the mounting bracket to mount the Sys Vac to the MFT today. I kept putting it off because of the cost, BUT I guess now is the time. It is now or never...

I had the same thought but I can’t get a definite answer whether or not it will fit my old 1080 MFT.

Would measurements help? I have a bracket and can take some measurements and/or pictures.

Measurement should do it. Distance from bottom of plate to center of slot cleats?

Michael Kellough · « **Reply #86 on:** December 14, 2021, 07:25 PM »

Quote from: Michael Kellough on December 14, 2021, 05:28 PM

Quote from: squall_line on December 14, 2021, 04:51 PM
Quote from: Michael Kellough on December 14, 2021, 04:43 PM
Quote from: Greg Powers on December 14, 2021, 04:35 PM
Ordered the mounting bracket to mount the Sys Vac to the MFT today. I kept putting it off because of the cost, BUT I guess now is the time. It is now or never...

I had the same thought but I can’t get a definite answer whether or not it will fit my old 1080 MFT.

Would measurements help? I have a bracket and can take some measurements and/or pictures.

Measurement should do it. Distance from bottom of plate to center of slot cleats?

50mm from the top of the MFT 1080 to the middle of the T slot in the frame.

squall_line · « **Reply #87 on:** December 14, 2021, 08:31 PM »

Quote from: Michael Kellough on December 14, 2021, 07:25 PM

Quote from: Michael Kellough on December 14, 2021, 05:28 PM
Quote from: squall_line on December 14, 2021, 04:51 PM
Quote from: Michael Kellough on December 14, 2021, 04:43 PM
I had the same thought but I can’t get a definite answer whether or not it will fit my old 1080 MFT.

Would measurements help? I have a bracket and can take some measurements and/or pictures.

Measurement should do it. Distance from bottom of plate to center of slot cleats?

50mm from the top of the MFT 1080 to the middle of the T slot in the frame.

I'm glad you added the MFT 1080 measurement to the mix.

The bottom of the plate to the center of the t-nut for the MFT/3 is ~64mm, give or take (it's a cheap plastic caliper, and parallax, and bad eyes...)

So I took off the screw to see if I could get a better angle and, lo and behold, a second set of holes (I obviously didn't remember this from setting it up two weeks ago). The primary set is still around 63 or 64 mm...

The "alternate" set is ~49.5mm, again accounting for poor measuring.

Enjoy!

Michael Kellough · « **Reply #88 on:** December 15, 2021, 09:12 PM »

@squall_line so it looks like the mount will fit both the MFT 1080/600 and the MFT 3 by using different set of holes?

squall_line · « **Reply #89 on:** December 15, 2021, 10:22 PM »

Quote from: Michael Kellough on December 15, 2021, 09:12 PM

@squall_line so it looks like the mount will fit both the MFT 1080/600 and the MFT 3 by using different set of holes?

@Michael Kellough, yes, it looks like it should fit both, based on your measurements and the presence of the second set of holes.

I'm not saying I'll pay for your bracket if it doesn't happen to fit, but I'm 95% confident.